DRIVE-THRU | Omeleto

A woman goes out with her new boyfriend.

Andi is riding with her new boyfriend Ben, and they're out to get pick up some takeout. As they drive, they talk and seem to enjoy one another's company.

But on a detour to get some ice cream in addition to their Thai food, Ben delivers some news that doesn't sit well with Andi. She is forced to face the reality of their situation and must either speak up for herself or lose the relationship.

This short relationship drama -- directed by Lauren Simpson and written by co-stars Haley Rawson and Taylor Miller, who play Andi and Ben, respectively -- is a "snapshot" kind of film, capturing a conversation between two people in a car on one seemingly ordinary night. It begins almost like a typical romance, but as the film progresses, it gives voice to a deeper melancholy and anger underlying its low-key appearances of amiability.

Narrow and focused in its narrative scope, the film possesses a muted, darkly naturalistic visual style that adds to the offhand, casual atmosphere of the film, along with the warm banter between the couple at the story's beginnings. This relaxed, "chill" look is echoed in Andi's demeanor, especially since the couple enjoys each other's company, and actors/co-writers Rawson and Miller have terrific rapport. Ben compliments Andi on being a cool girl, which is something she seems to appreciate.

Yet that persona begins to crack a little, as Ben reveals that their viewpoints on their shared romantic situation are further apart than Andi thought. The dialogue and performance travel this terrain with great perceptiveness, tracing a schism that grows into a chasm as details fall into place. Andi and Ben begin the story aligned and seemingly on the same page -- at least, in Andi's eyes. But then she realizes that appearances are not what they seem, and how she chooses to address that gap is the crux of the film's drama.

At this point, the craftsmanship also unfurls a more meditative and sophisticated series of strategies to put us in Andi's subjectivity. Especially smart use of sound and a shift in camerawork capture Andi's disassociation as Ben begins to "spin" the situation, and she gets distracted by the sight of another couple having a heated, almost violent argument nearby.

The juxtaposition seems to set off an internal revelation for Andi, and forces her to see -- and maybe address -- her true thoughts to Ben. Rawson here especially captures this troubling moment with precision and thoughtfulness, and she delivers a pointed, powerful statement to Ben -- one that may be relatable and perhaps empowering to many.

More subversive than it initially seems, DRIVE-THRU doesn't let the audience, or Andi, have such an easy release valve. Its ending could be read as a twist on the page, but in the end, it sadly feels all too realistic, especially in a world where stifling our voices to find love, acceptance and belonging can be par for the course. Ultimately, DRIVE-THRU achieves an unsettling resonance, by bringing to life both the twisted games that make up modern dating, and the silencing of needs to fulfill both societal pressures and our longings for love. The price of that silence, though, is in how small and unworthy we feel, and how little we gain for it.

[saira_]

Loneliness is awful. It can make you weak. Weak enough to compromise when you should be walking away.

[LaurenFSimpson]

Hello everyone, I'm the director of DRIVE-THRU. Thanks for watching. The cast and I love your comments. Ask me anything, and please share the link with friends if you enjoyed the film.

[KD-rsqi]

Its better to be alone than to be with someone who makes you feel alone.💯

[michaelfoxbrass]

So powerful - our inner voice - but only when we pause to determine its messaging and act on it.

[wadeguidry]

Stick to your gut feelings. I'm old, I've learned the hard way. She should have bailed. Shes going to anyway.

[theeclectic]

Most of the time, when someone says, "I want to be honest with you...." it means they are about to tell you something you're not going to like (they're going to be TOO honest), or they're going to flat out lie.

[birdbrain]

"When you love
someone more than
they deserve, surely
they will hurt you
more than you deserve" 💔

[lastmanstanding]

She was so close to making the right decision.

[donnygat]

Been here before. She should've got out the car while he was waiting for the ice cream lol

[ultranate]

When dating knowing self worth is a dangerous weapon. Use it every time and you will find the right person.

[dhanyakv]

When they appreciate you for being a super cool girl, brace yourself for the hurt. They just want you to play cool with their rubbish...

[thenomadpath]

I would be pissed to spend $500 on a flight to visit a casual fling lol. Unless he pays, I would have never invested.

[steve]

She would be so much better off just adopting a nice friendly dog.

[eg]

Guy just told you how it's going to be...and internally you're hurting. I feel bad for her, the pain and listening to his gibberish talking. This film did a excellent job portraying what it like out there in the real world. I've been there. Thank you Olmetto, another great with CC. 🙏

[DidYouKnow]

the fear of lonelyness girl was afraid of

[hiwiad]

I knew they weren't going to work out when she declined that McFlurry

[fttcoop]

This is why the word "douchebag" is necessary.

[prathameshtakane]

the transition of shots from reality to day dream was very cool. great job.

[stevebrodie]

Guy was a jerk and she let herself be used, match made in Hell !

[brandonhanserd]

Incredibly mean to tell me he was able to order a McFlurry and they didn’t tell him the ice cream machine was down/broken?